Strictly Come Dancing queen Shirley Ballas said that she was bullied so badly in the dance industry that she nearly quit.
The judge on the BBC prime time show said that she spent most of the start of her career "on the verge of a nervous breakdown".
Shirley, 62, said how the "men at the top" of the dance industry were "bullies who like to control everything", adding that they would often block her from getting work.
"Being bullied was a big part of my life as a dancer. These man caused me stress that was so bad I would pee all the time. It was like being on the edge of a nervous break down," she told MailOnline.
"They don't like successful women, or women who have a voice, or women who try and speak for other people. Our industry right now is divided because of this bullying," she added.
Shirley compared her life on Strictly as like "going to Disneyland", adding how she doesn't have to worry about being bullied or how she looks.
Alongside regular counselling, the dancer said that the show has "given her hope and self-acceptance".
The TV star also spoke about how she struggled with disordered eating as a young woman breaking into the dance industry.
She said that she was always judged on her weight, and only up until five years ago did she manage to break that negative pattern of thinking.
Shirley said how she was 'miserable' when she was on diets, and added that she found herself having constant mood swings.
The mum-of-one said that she now has a much better relationship with food and is in a "much better place".
It's clear to say that her tough experience in the dancing world has left her with very thick skin and a no nonsense attitude.
She showed this ruthlessness on Saturday night's instalment of the show but was criticised by fans.
Viewers felt that Shirley's comments to Ellie Taylor were "harsh" and some pointed out that she appeared to have favourites in the show.
One wrote: “Rude to Ellie. She wasn’t great but she was still better than that. Everyone should get higher than an eight now.”
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“Shirley has her favourites and Ellie T isn't one of them. Thought the tone of her comments was like a teacher telling off a child,” said another.
"Shirley gave Ellie a 5? Why does she mark the women harder than the men.”
“I love Ellie and Johannes, this wasn't her dance, she looked a bit uncomfortable, but Shirley was really going at the younger woman again eh.”
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